Let's talk about the hidden costs of family travel, specifically when it comes to flying with children. It's a topic that often leaves parents scratching their heads and reaching deeper into their pockets. Recently, Ryanair made headlines by scrapping its family seating policy, which required parents to pay extra to sit next to their kids. While this is a step in the right direction, it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the extra fees families face when flying.
The Lap Infant Dilemma
One of the most intriguing aspects is the treatment of infants who travel on their parents' laps. Some airlines, like Wizz Air, charge a flat fee for this, regardless of the destination or the price of the adult ticket. This fee can often exceed the cost of the adult ticket itself! It's a practice that has sparked debate, with critics arguing that it's unfair and doesn't make sense. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, puts it bluntly: "There's absolutely no sensible argument for why a very small child, or baby, will be charged more than an adult."
Wizz Air, however, defends its policy, stating that the fee is similar to industry standards. But is it really fair to charge a baby more than an adult, especially when they're not even occupying a seat?
Fees for Older Children
As children grow out of the lap-sitting stage, the fees don't necessarily decrease. For children over two, most airlines require them to have their own seat, which comes with its own set of charges. On some airlines like Wizz Air, Ryanair, and easyJet, tickets for over-twos cost the same as adults. British Airways, on the other hand, offers reduced fares until a child turns 12. But even with these reduced fares, there are often additional fees on top of the basic price.
Take the example of Lisa Francesca Nand, who paid £136.50 to sit next to her sons, aged 11 and 13, on their return trip to Málaga on Wizz Air. This amount is more than a third of the cost of their actual tickets! Wizz Air does offer a guarantee for one seat next to a child under 14 for free, but the uncertainty of seating arrangements for the second child is a concern for many parents.
A Web of Fees
When you delve deeper into the costs of a flight, you'll find a complex web of fees. British Airways, for instance, has 11 extra charges for an adult ticket, compared to 9 for an infant and 10 for a child aged 2-11, on a return flight from London to New York. These fees can add up to more than £500 for an adult ticket, while an infant fare of £30 can balloon to £162.19.
Some of these fees are imposed by governments, like the air passenger duty, which is based on the distance flown and class of travel. Others are passenger service charges levied by airports, which airlines then pass on to customers. Then there are carrier-imposed charges, immigration fees, and security taxes, all of which can vary depending on the destination and stops along the way.
Layover Destinations and Cost Differences
The wide range of charges also means that layover destinations can significantly impact the total cost. For example, on an Air New Zealand flight from London to Auckland via Los Angeles, the total cost of an infant's flight is 15% of the adult ticket. However, returning via Vancouver with the same airline, the infant's ticket is only 9.6% of the adult fare.
Final Thoughts
The world of airline fees is a complex and often frustrating one, especially for families. While some airlines are making efforts to simplify their policies, like Ryanair's change to its family seating policy, there's still a long way to go. As a parent, I can't help but feel that the current system is designed to confuse and extract as much money as possible from families. It's time for a more transparent and fair approach to pricing, especially when it comes to our youngest travelers. After all, shouldn't travel be an enjoyable experience for the whole family, without the added stress of hidden fees?
